Dress to Impress exhibition at Polesden Lacey

Designers of the future

A collaboration with Wimbledon College of Arts, part of University of the Arts London, showcases the next generation of costume design talent.

Eleven final-year students on the College’s prestigious BA (Hons) Costume for Theatre and Screen course have recreated and designed costumes inspired by the fancy dress attire featured in Margaret Greville's photograph album of the 1897 Devonshire House Ball. This opulent event was considered the social highlight of the year, graced by royalty and the aristocracy. The students' intricate pieces can be seen in the central hall and along the balcony.

Please note: The costumes created by the students for the exhibition will not be on show at Polesden Lacey between 27 May and 28 June. This is because they will be returning to the College to be assessed as part of the students' final grading process. The costumes can be seen at Wimbledon College of Arts' free, in-person graduate show from 14 to 21 June. They will return on 28 June to Polesden Lacey, where they will go back on display for the rest of the exhibition.

 

Exhibition highlights

Items from Polesden Lacey’s collection are displayed with loans from other National Trust properties and external museums and collectors, including:

• A silk embroidered kimono that once belonged to Queen Mary, on loan from the Olive Matthews Dress Collection, Chertsey Museum.  
• A child’s shirt and breeches, on loan from the Alasdair Peebles collection, are displayed next to the conserved portrait of The Paterson Children by Henry Raeburn; and a recreated red jacket by Graves Historical Uniforms. 
• An 18th-century waistcoat and skirt, on loan from the Fashion Museum, Bath and displayed alongside a recently restored portrait of Eva Maria Garrick.
• A man’s fancy dress ball costume, a rare survival from the Victorian period, on loan from the Goodwood Collection.

Dress exhibits from the National Trust’s own collections include a coronation robe from Ickworth celebrating Margaret Greville’s attendance at three coronations, and a Parisian 1920s silk and sequinned ‘flapper’ dress from Scotney Castle.

Other contemporary collaborations offer a film by Serena Dyer, dress historian and author, showing how to dress like a Georgian, and a ruff commissioned from TV and film costume creator Marija Radojicic.

 

 

Hands on

Polesden Lacey’s Volunteer Textile Group have recreated the dress and opera cloak worn by Margaret Greville in the full-length portrait of her by Carolus-Duran. Hands-on interpretation has been made for the exhibition with fabric swatches and drawings.

Events include talks and tours with fashion historians and activities focused on designing and dressmaking, exploring fabrics of the day. For families, there are sketchbooks, dressing up opportunities and a selfie station for sharing images on social media.

 

Planning your visit

• The full programme of Dress to Impress talks is now available to view and book on our events page.
• The exhibition is on show on the ground and first floor of the house from Friday 2 May until Sunday 2 November 2025. The house is open daily from 11am – 3.30pm and the gardens and grounds from 10am-5pm.
• A virtual tour of the upstairs rooms is available to view via a tablet.
• No booking necessary, and the exhibition is free to view, however normal property admission price applies (free for National Trust members).
• Toilets and baby changing facilities are available.
• Please use the buggy park to place buggies before entering the house; hip carriers are available on request.
• There are two cafes in Dairy Courtyard and Stable Courtyard with plenty of delicious food; both have indoor and outdoor seating areas with additional picnic benches around the grounds.
• There is overflow car park availability if the main car park is full. Please follow the signs. Peak times are usually at the weekends or school holidays between 10am and 1pm.